GrackleDocs (Blog #5)
The adaptive technology resource I want to introduce to you this week is called GrackleDocs. It’s an add-on that runs in Google Docs and checks documents for accessibility issues. You can download it straight from the Google marketplace here. Once a Google Doc is open, click on the heading “Extensions” and Grackle Docs should appear in the add-on list.
GrackleDocs analyzes access in several key categories: document, images, headings, tables, landmarks and content. It checks for things such as alt-text for images, proper headings and text alignment, and brevity of paragraphs, just to name a few. Once the add-on is opened, it will appear as a sidebar on the right side of the screen. Under each category is a list of items, preceded by an “x” or a checkmark. Items with an “x” need to be corrected for accessibility purposes. The user can click on each problematic item from the list, locate it within the document, and correct it based on the guidance provided. Some checked items appear with a small red exclamation mark on top. Those items need to be individually checked by the user to see if it is a problem for their personal situation. After everything is fixed, it can be exported to PDF through the add-on and all accessibility changes are transferred to the PDF, which is imperative for screen readers.
Here are some additional resources that may be helpful for the beginning user:
- Demonstration video from Grackle using the add-on. The GrackleDocs portion stops at about the 12:45 mark.
- Article from Tech & Learning about how important this can be for school districts—helpful to persuade administration purchase, if needed!
- Short video using GrackleDocs to make a lesson plan accessible
- Article about using HyperDocs for teaching—making sure they are accessible is imperative!
We never know who might need an accessible document because not everyone is comfortable sharing challenges they may have. Using a tool like GrackleDocs ensures that anyone who views your document is going to have the access they need, and it also makes the experience better for anyone else that uses it. That’s what Universal Design is all about! "If it is designed well, it will work for everybody" (Spina, 2017). The best part is that Grackle makes parallel add-ons for Google Slides and Google Sheets too. The whole suite can be purchased together. Older kids could use this as well and start to get accustomed to making their work accessible. It may be easier to start with Grackle Slides, depending on the comfort level of the user.
Have you used GrackleDocs or a similar accessibility checker? I’d love to hear about your experience!
Reference
Spina, C. (2017, May 5). How universal design will make your library more inclusive. School Library Journal. https://www.slj.com/story/how-universal-design-will-make-your-library-more-inclusive
I love this tool! I learned a lot about accessible texts and websites in one of my first classes in the program and it wasn't until then that I realized how big of an issue accessibility is when it comes to online documents. As librarians, it's important that any information we send out is accessible to students and parents and while it might seem fun to use a lot of different texts, it isn't always the best choice for our patrons and we need to focus on their needs. I already downloaded the extension onto my laptop so that I can have quick access to it. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Becca!
DeleteYes, I took a Universal Design class last semester and hadn't really thought much about online documents and how they may be (un)accessible. I'm glad to hear you are ready to use it. Please give me an update on how you like it after you've tried it out!
Hey Tiffany!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an amazing resource - especially for Google districts that already utilize Google based programs and can easily add this extension on. I currently work in a Microsoft district so my students do not use Google docs, or other Google programs, so this add-on isn't the best option for me. However, it did remind me that Microsoft programs, such as Word, have their own internal accessibility checker. A user, such as a teacher or student, can open this sidebar and have their document automatically check for any accessibility issues.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Sam Howard
Hi Sam!
DeleteIt definitely stood out to me for the reason you just shared. The district I worked in was all Google, so it appears that this would be pretty seamless. I hadn't used Word in years until I started this program, and I was really happy and interested to see the updates that have been added for accessibility! It's encouraging to see so many companies taking these issues seriously.
Hi Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great resource you shared here - thank you. I really like that it checks documents automatically, especially for things like alt text and headings/document structure. These are so easily overlooked when we are just beginning to understand how to make documents accessible.
I also keep coming back to your point of "not everyone is comfortable sharing challenges they may have." When we widen our definition of accessible, even to documents we create, we are helping everyone in the system. Not every student or staff member has documented accessibility issues, and indeed, we can assume that some are struggling.
The videos here are really helpful.
Thanks,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
DeleteThe more I've learned about accessibility, the more that thought you quoted has resonated with me. Needs and challenges are so much broader and more widespread than I ever realized growing up. I was so unaware, until the past couple of years, of all the ways that things could be made easier for everyone. I had no idea what "alt-text" was, or the purpose behind it, until I saw someone talk about it on Twitter one day. There are such simple ways that we can make things better!
I'm glad you enjoyed the videos. For technology especially, I always like being able to see exactly what is being talked about!
I love this! Thank you for sharing this as I have never heard of it before. It is very exciting to see so many things are starting to take accessibility seriously. I have a job that involves a lot of customer service via email right now and even Outlook scans all of my emails for accessibility and I make sure to make any necessary changes because, as you said, you never know when someone may have need of certain accessibility traits. Before this program, I never knew how easy it was for something as simple as a font to limit accessibility to a document, so I am really excited about this source!
ReplyDelete